Apparatus for forming chord assemblies having two parallel, laterally spaced members

ABSTRACT

An elongated framework has upper and lower clamps for holding a pair of chord members in parallel, laterally spaced relation. Stapler mechanism is provided on the framework for driving staples into the upper and lower edge surfaces of the two chord members while the latter are held by the clamps for connecting them in their laterally spaced relation for subsequent construction into truss joists. Two of the stapling mechanisms are provided for applying upper and lower staples at two longitudinal points along the chord members, and drilling mechanism is provided on the framework between the two stapling mechanisms for providing lateral drilled holes in the chord members.

United States Patent Arthur L. Troutner Skyline Drive, Boise, Idaho 83502 846,531

July 31, 1969 July 20, 1971 Inventor Applv No. Filed Patented APPARATUS FOR FORMING CHORD ASSEMBLIES HAVING TWO PARALLEL, LA'I'ERALLY SPACED MEMBERS Hill I h JL l Primary Examiner-Granville Y. Custer, Jr. Attorney-Eugene D. Farley ABSTRACT: An elongated framework has upper and lower clamps for holding a pair of chord members in parallel, laterally spaced relation. Stapler mechanism is provided on the framework for driving staples into the upper and lower edge surfaces of the two chord members while the latter are held by the clamps for connecting them in their laterally spaced relation for subsequent construction into truss joists. Two of the stapling mechanisms are provided for applying upper and lower staples at two longitudinal points along the chord members, and drilling mechanism is provided on the framework between the two stapling mechanisms for providing lateral drilled holes in the chord members.

INVENTOR.

ARTHUR L. TROUTNER APPARATUS FOR FORMING CHORD ASSEMBLIES HAVING TWO PARALLEL, LATERALLY SPACEI) MEMBERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to truss-manufacturing apparatus and more particularly is concerned with apparatus for forming chord assemblies of the type having two parallel, laterally spaced members.

In the construction certain types of truss joists, pairs of upper and lower chords are employed between which the ends of reinforcing interconnecting webs are pinned. In assembling such joists, end washers are used on the pinning means to hold the pairs of chords in selected relation upon assembly. The assembly of truss joists using the end washers mentioned is time consuming and in addition such washers also are relatively expensive.

SUMMARY OF TI-IE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a primary objective of the present invention to provide apparatus, which in the assembly of a pair of parallel, laterally spaced chord members is arranged to connect the two chord members such as by stapling them together in their selected position for assembly, whereby to reduce the cost of labor in assembly as well as to eliminate the use of some parts previously used in the assembly.

More particular objects of the present invention are to provide novel apparatus which is arranged to receive two members of a chord structure and further arranged to support such members in laterally spaced, parallel relation and apply staples to upper and lower edge surfaces thereof; to provide two stapling stations between which is disposed a drilling station wherein pin-receiving holes can be provided in the chord members on each side of the staples; and furthermore to provide a novel structure of staple forming and driving means for the intended purpose.

The invention will be better understood and additional objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred form of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWlNGS FIG. I is a top plan view of apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on V the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present apparatus is designed for the purpose of forming chords of a truss joist of the type having a pair of elongated chord members C, such chord members being shown in cross section in FIGS. 2, 3 and 9 and in plan in FIG. 1 (broken lines). According to the invention, the two chord members are connected together in selected parallel spaced ,relation by staples secured laterally across upper and lower edge surfaces thereof whereby in constructing the truss joists the chords assume their proper relationship for securement to web members of the joists. The apparatus hereof also includes drilling means for providing laterally extending holes to receive cross pins which connect to the web members.

The components of the apparatus are,mounted upon a framework 10 which supports a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending rails 12 and I4. Horizontal and vertical support and guide rollers 16, FIG. I, are supported on the framework at selected positions, such as at the infeed and outfeed ends, for guiding the chord members edgewise through the apparatus. The horizontal rollers support the chord members in the desired horizontal plane for guided movement through the apparatus and the vertical rollers position the chords for guided movement along a fixed vertical reference line.

Adjacent to the infeed end of the apparatus is a pair of Iongitudinally spacedstapling components 18 and 20 and drilling components 22 intermediate the two stapling components. By means of such structure staples are applied to top and bottom edge surfaces of the chords and a hole is drilled laterally through the chords at a point intermediate the stapled points.

Disposed at the infeed end of the apparatus is chord holding and positioning means, best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which comprises an inverted U-shaped frame 24 secured on framework 10. A fluid operated cylinder 26 is secured in suspended relation from the underside of the frame 24 and has a piston rod 28 terminating at its lower end in a crosshead 30 having longitudinally extending side projections 32 and a central projection 34. A head 36 similar in construction to the head 30, namely, one having side and center projections 32 and 34, respectively, is connected to the end of a vertical piston rod 38 from a lower fluid-operated cylinder 40 connected to the bottom of framework I0, the piston rod 38 passing through a suitable bore in the framework 10. The projections 32 and 34 on the heads 30 and 36 are selectively laterally spaced to substantially correspond to the width of chords whereby upon actuation of the two cylinders 26 and 40 the chords are firmly clamped, as shown in FIG. 2. In a preferred arrangement, the upper cylinder 26 is of greater capacity than lower cylinder 40 so that the chords, while nevertheless being fully clamped, are pushed down firmly against a pair of rollers 42, also seen in FIG. I, mounted rotatably on the frame. Such rollers gauge the precise vertical support of the chords for operation by the components of the machine.

FIG. 3 shows in elevation the stapling component 18. The two stapling components are of identical construction and thus only component 18 will be described in detail. It has an open center frame 42 secured in upright relation on longitudinal rails 12 and I4. Secured within the frame 42 in upright relation and spaced from each other for disposal on opposite side of two chords C, are tubular housing'44 and 46 which have identical construction but inverted relationship, one having mechanism for applying a top staple and the other having mechanism for applying a bottom staple. With particular reference to FIG. 5, which shows the bottom applying stapling mechanism, a central barlike driver 48 having a head 49 is slidably supported within the housing 46 through the medium of annular seals 50 fixed to the housing by studs 51, also seen in FIG. 11. The bottom end of driver 48 has a piston head 52, and an upward powered movement of the driver 48 is accomplished by fluid. inlet means 54 which leads from a fluid pressure source and which projects through a bottom wall 56 in the housing 46.

A staple-fuming piston 58 is slidably mounted in the housing 46 and encompasses the driver 48. The staple-forming piston comprises a lower segment 60 having threaded connection 62 with an intermediate segment 64 connected to an upper segment 66 by means of studs 67, also seen in FIG. 10.

nected to a source-of pressure by conduits 70, and have ports 71 which on opposite sides of the housing extend in opposite directions whereby upon selected application of fluid pressure to the fluid inlet means 68 on one side or the other the forming and driving pistons can be moved in driving or retracting directions. In the operation of, the pistons, the fluid inlet means on one side comprise the inlet and the fluid inlet means on the other side comprise the discharge. Means for controlling such an arrangement are well known and are not detailed. I I

The upper endof staple forming segment 66 has cross grooves 72 and the top vof head 49 of the driver 48 has a groove 74, FIGS..4 and 5, which is aligned with grooves 72.

Grooves 72 are aligned with a wire-receiving bore 76 in a stationary cutter block 78 secured to the housing 46 by a support arm80. The cutter block'78 has adjustable lateral movement by means of a bolt 82 threadedly attached thereto and extending through a laterally elongated slot 84 in the arm 80. The

bolt 82 has an enlarged head relative to the width of the slot to provide the adjustable clamping position of the block 78 on the arm 80.

A positioning stop screw 86 is threadedly mounted on the outer end of arm 80 for abutment with the outer end of the I 1 block 78 for accurate setting of the latter. The lateral adjust: ment of the block 78 provides for selected penetration of a cutting end 88 of the block into the housing 46.

' grooves .72 in the forming piston are angled to a deeper depth toward the center for a reason to be described, and furthermore the formingpiston segment 66 is provided with a pair of inwardly opening longitudinally extending grooves 92. Each groove 72 and its respective groove 92 intersect with each other. v

Projecting slidably through an opening 94 in the sidewall of housing 46 at the head of the driver 48 is an anvil 96, H68. 4, 5 and 10. The anvil is disposed'at right angles to the axis of the driver 48 and has powered extendable and retractable movement by a fluid-operated cylinder 98, FIGS. 1 and 4, secured to a U-shaped frame member. 100 in turn secured to the housing 46. The anvil has movement such that in its extended position it is in the path of movement of the driver 48 and in its retractive movement it is out of the path of such driver. As best seen in FIG. 5, the anvil has angled side edges 97 which assist informing a staple, as will be described. With particular reference to FIG. 10, the anvil 96 is adapted in its fully extended position to have overlapping engagement with a portion of an anchor block 95 secured to the housing 46 in a posi tion to support the anvil against the forming action of forming piston 58.

The drilling component 22 comprises two identical side structures, and since the two sides are of the same structure, only one of them will be shown and described in detail.

With reference to FIGS. 1, l2 and 13, each drill assembly includes an electric motor 104 bolted or otherwise secured to the outer end of an elongated hollow cylindrical housing 106 which is bolted to the framework and extends laterally with respect to the longitudinal direction of the rails 12 and 14. The inner end of the housing 106 projects into the framework 24 for the clamping means and thus allows the chords C to extend between the laterally spaced inner ends of the housing. The output shaft 1 12 0f the motor is connected by a coupling M4 to an elongatedsplined shaft 116 which extends axially into the housing 106. Mounted on the splined shaft forrotation therewith but also for longitudinal movement relative thereto is a ball spline bearing 118 of conventional construction. This coupling 122. The inner end of the coupling 122 has a threaded opening which receives the threaded outer end of a drill spindle I24. The outer portion of this spindle is hollow to freely receive therein the inner end portion of the splined shaft 116. The inner end of the spindle has a threaded projection 126 of reduced diameter adapted to mount a conventional drill bit chuck I28 thereon for supporting a conventional drill bit 130.

A hollow sleeve I32 freely surrounds the intermediate portion of the spindle 124 and is provided with threaded end sections 134 to which are secured a retracting piston 136 and an advancing piston [38, respectively. These pistons are spaced longitudinally at opposite sides of the fixed seal 140 which is secured within the cylindrical housing 106. The spaces between the fixed seal 140 and the pistons accommodate fluid pressure selectively through conduits I42 and 144, FIG. 13, to effect retraction or advancement of the drill bit relative to the chords C. p

A bearing 146 in the sidewall of the housing 24 supports the drill bit for rotation as well as longitudinal movement relative to the housing. Electrical control means I48 may be provided in association with the sliding member I36 for controlling operation thereof, but such control means is not a part of the present application. The parts may be dimensioned and arranged such that the drill bit l30 on one side may penetrate one or both chords, or if desired the drill bits 130 of the two drilling members 22 may be of different diameters to produce bores of different diameter at selected places through the length of the chord.

Stop plungers 150, FIG. I, are provided onlongitudinal bars 152, and these plungers are arranged for engagement with bored holes in the chordsto selectively position the chords for subsequent stapling and drilling functions. One of such plungers is supported on a support head 154 having slidable adjustable engagement on the bars 152', such head being positioned selectively by adjustment means 156. A cutoff unit 158 is mounted on the frame and has a laterally travelling'cutoff saw of conventional construction for cutting the chord assemblies to selected lengths.

OPERATION In-the operation of the present apparatus, the operator feeds a pair of chords into the infced end of the machine for accomplishing drilling and stapling functions. The two chords are first positioned selectively in spaced relation by the operator for support on the lower clamp head 36 and also for guidance by the horizontal and vertical rollers 16. In the rest position of the apparatus,the staple driver 48 and the staple former 58 are retracted. Such a position of the parts is shown in FIG. 5. The anvil is also retracted at this time. Then, according to the sequence of operations the fluid-operated cylinder 98 is actuated to move the anvilto its extended position in the path of staple driver 48. The wire W is then fed in and abuts against the opposite side of the housing 46 from the feed mechanism. Thereupon, fluid under pressure is supplied to inlet means 70 which causes the staple'formcr 58 and driver 48 to move upwardly. As the staple former starts moving under its driving power, it cuts the wire by shearing action of its cutting edge against the shearing end 88 of the cutter block 78. FIG. 7 shows the position of the staple former 58 where the wire has been cut and a staple is being initially formed. In such formation, the ends or legs of the staple lie in the tapered grooves 72 the shape of which causes the legs of the staple to be bent up efficiently in the initial forming action. The driver 48 is stopped by the anvil and the staple former 58 continues to move until it reaches a position shown in FIG. 8 wherein a staplc is completely formed with its legs projectingin a direction substantially parallel with the axis of the driver 48. As the staple former 58 moves beyond the end of driver 48 in the formation of the staple, just described, the staple legs are disposed in the grooves 92 in the segment 66 to allow the relative movement of the staple former and the staple driver. The angled walls 97 of the anvil provide a bending of the staple legs by the forming mechanism such that the legs thereof will stay substantially in a right angle position relative to the body of the staple when the former 58 is withdrawn.

ln the next step of the operation, the drive means for the driver 48is relaxed and the anvil driven to its retracted posi tion by suitable operation of its cylinder 98. Thereupon, the cylinders 26 and 40 for the clamp heads 32 and 36 are actuated and the chords are securely clamped in place. Immediately following such clamping engagement of the chords, the advancing pistons 138 for the drills are actuated to accomplish the drilling function. The driver at this time is again actuated. Since the anvil is now withdrawn the driver 48 drives the formed staple into the two chords, as shown in FIG. 9, with the staple spanning the space between the two chords and having its legs embedded in the respective chords for connecting relation. Thereupon, the driver and drills are retracted for the next operation.

The staple forming piston 58, having two piston head surfaces, has great power in its severing action of the wire and of forming the staples.

The present invention thus provides a structure which accomplishes initial construction of a truss joist chord and in its operation eliminates the need for fastening washers which are presently being used. The apparatus not only eliminates the cost of using the connecting washers but also reduces considerably the man hours required to assemble the two chords for construction into a joist. It is to be understood that the form of my invention herein shown and described is to be taken as the preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. Apparatus for forming truss joist chord assembliesof the type having a pair of parallel members disposed in laterally spaced relation and having upper and lower edge surfaces, comprising a. a framework,

b. chord-holding means on said framework arranged to hold the two chord members in parallel laterally spaced relation,

c. and stapling means on said framework arranged to drive staples into the two chord members in laterally connecting relation in the upper and lower edge surfaces thereof whereby to hold the two chord members in parallel, laterally spaced connected relation for subsequent securement to other elements forming a truss joist.

2. The chord assembly-forming apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stapling means comprises two opposed units arranged to drive staples in both the upper and lower edge surfaces of the two chord members.

3. The chord assembly-forming apparatus of claim I wherein said stapling means comprises two opposed units arranged to drive staples simultaneously in both the upper and lower edge surfaces of the two chord members.

4. The chord assembly-forming apparatus of claim ll wherein said stapling means comprises a. a power-driven staplefom1ing member arranged to form staples in a position for driving into the two chord members,

b. and a power-driven staple-driving member arranged to drive the formed staples into connecting relation into the two chord members.

5. The chord assembly-forming apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stapling means comprises a. a power-driven staple-forming member arranged to form staples in a position for driving into the two chord members,

b. a power-driven staple-driving member arranged to drive the formed staples into connecting relation into the two chordmembers, I c. and wire feed means arranged to direct wire to the stapleforming member for formation of the staples from the wire.

6. The chord assembly-forming apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stapling means comprises a. a power-driven staple-forming member arranged to form staples in a position for driving int-o the two chord members,

b. a power-driven staple-driving member arranged to drive the formed staples into connecting relation into the two chord members,

c. wire feed means arranged to direct wire to the staple forming member for formation of the staples from the wire,

d. and wirecutting means on said staple-forming member arranged to cut the wire for formation of staples by the staple forming member.

7. The chord assembly-forming apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stapling means comprises a. a power-driven staple-forming member associated with the chord-holding means to form in a stroke thereof staples in a position for driving into the two chord members,

b. a power-driven staple-driving member having a driving surface and arranged to drive the formed staples into connecting relation into the two chord members,

c. and a retractible anvil arranged for movement into and out of the path of the staple driving member,

d. the staple-forming member being movable relative to the staple-driving member and being arranged in a driven movement thereof which is prior to a staple-driving movement of thestaple-driving member to form a staple by bending it partly around the anvil.

8. The chord assembly-forming apparatus of claim 7 including a. wire feed means feeding wire to the staple-forming member,

b. one of the staple-forming member and the staple-driving member having groove means arranged to receive wire in staple forming, relative movement of the stapleforming member and the staple-driving member.

9. The cord assembly-forming apparatus of claim 7 wherein the staple-fonning member and the staple-driving member comprise fluid-operated cylinders.

10. The chord assembly-forming apparatus of claim 1 wherein said chord-holding means comprises upper and lower clamp members arranged to fixedly hold the two chord members in selected laterally spaced relation for stapling.

H. The chord assembly-forming apparatus of claim 1 including drilling means on said framework arranged to drill lateral holes in the chord members for the subsequent securement to other elements forming a truss joist.

12. The chord assembly forming apparatus of claim 1 including a. a pair of the stapling means for applying staples to spaced longitudinal points on the chord members,

b. and drilling means on said framework disposed longitudinally intermediate the two stapling means and arranged to drill lateral holes in the chord members for the subsequent securement to other elements forming a truss joist. 

1. Apparatus for forming truss joist chord assemblies of the type having a pair of parallel members disposed in laterally spaced relation and having upper and lower edge surfaces, comprising a. a framework, b. chord-holding means on said framework arranged to hold the two chord members in parallel laterally spaced relation, c. and stapling means on said framework arranged to drive staples into the two chord members in laterally connecting relation in the upper and lower edge surfaces thereof whereby to hold the two chord members in parallel, laterally spaced connected relation for subsequent securement to other elements forming a truss joist.
 2. The chord assembly-forming apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stapling means comprises two opposed units arranged to drive staples in both the upper and lower edge surfaces of the two chord members.
 3. The chord assembly-forming apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stapling means comprises two opposed units arranged to drive staples simultaneously in both the upper and lower edge surfaces of the two chord members.
 4. The chord assembly-forming apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stapling means comprises a. a power-driven staple-forming member arranged to form staples in a position for driving into the two chord members, b. and a power-driven staple-driving member arranged to drive the formed staples into connecting relation into the two chord members.
 5. The chord assembly-forming apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stapling means comprises a. a power-driven staple-forming member arranged to form staples in a position for driving into the two chord members, b. a power-driven staple-driving member arranged to drive the formed staples into connecting relation into the two chord members, c. and wire feed means arranged to direct wire to the staple-forming member for formation of the staples from the wire.
 6. The chord assembly-forming apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stapling means comprises a. a power-driven staple-forming member arranged to form staples in a position for driving into the two chord members, b. a power-driven staple-driving member arranged to drive the formed staples into connecting relation into the two chord members, c. wire feed means arranged to direct wire to the staple forming member for formation of the staples from the wire, d. and wirecutting means on said staple-forming member arranged to cut the wire for formation of staples by the staple forming member.
 7. The chord assembly-forming apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stapling means comprises a. a power-driven staple-forming member associated with the chord-holding means to form in a stroke thereof staples in a position for driving into the two chord members, b. a power-driven staple-driving member having a driving surface and arranged to drive the formed staples into connecting relation into the two chord members, c. and a retractible anvil arranged for movement into and out of the path of the staple driving member, d. the staple-forming member being movable relative to the staple-driving member and being arranged in a driven movement thereof which is prior to a staple-driving movement of the staple-driving member to form a staple by bending it partly around the anvil.
 8. The chord assembly-forming apparatus of claim 7 including a. wire feed means feeding wire to the staple-forming member, b. one of the staple-forming member and the staple-driving member having groove means arranged to receive wire in staple forming, relative movement of the staple-forming member and the staple-driving member.
 9. The cord assembly-forming apparatus of claim 7 wherein the staple-forming member and the staple-driving member comprise fluid-operated cylinders.
 10. The chord assembly-forming apparatus of claim 1 wherein said chord-holding means comprises upper and lower clamp members arranged to fixedly hold the two chord members in selected laterally spaced relation for stapling.
 11. The chord assembly-forming apparatus of claim 1 including drilling means on said framework arranged to drill lateral holes in the chord members for the subsequent securement to other elements forming a truss joist.
 12. The chord assembly forming apparatus of claim 1 including a. a pair of the stapling means for applying staples to spaced longitudinal points on the chord members, b. and drilling means on said framework disposed longitudinally intermediate the two stapling means and arranged to drill lateral holes in the chord members for the subsequent securement to other elements forming a truss joist. 